Business leaders have set out a list of infrastructure improvement demands that they claim are essential to the growth of the north-east economy.
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) have circulated a briefing paper to local MSPs ahead of a debate at Holyrood today. (tues)
The business organisation insists that decades of under-investment in Aberdeen has hindered business’s ability to grow.
It said research showed 82% of firms had aspirations to expand this year but they are being held back by road, rail and broadband connections within the region and to the rest of Scotland.
AGCC said work to start building the Aberdeen bypass was a welcome first step but further support was required in order to maximise the benefits of current developments.
Chamber research and policy director James Bream said: “We are calling on the Scottish Government to dedicate time and resources to upgrade the infrastructure needed for Aberdeen to continue driving the Scottish economy.
“Transport Scotland must continue to deliver promised projects such as the Haudagain roundabout improvements and the dualling of the A96 and both Aberdeen and shire councils must seek to improve the local road network.”
AGCC said improving super-fast broadband in Aberdeen was crucial to economic growth because it currently had the third lowest penetration rate of all UK cities which was an “embarrassment”.
The briefing paper states that Aberdeen Harbour had a crucial role to play in the oil and gas industry and Scottish Government support was needed to deliver new infrastructure around the proposed new expanded site at Nigg Bay.
The chamber said a survey last year found that 53% of respondents considered good rail links important to their business but there was significant dissatisfaction with current journey times between Aberdeen and other cities in Scotland.
Mr Bream said: “Members would welcome more ambitious plans to improve rail services and Scottish Government support for these measures.
“Given the passenger growth achieved in the north-east, members feel rail investment should be prioritised in this region.”